IAACE Blog: News for You

When I applied for this position, I had to contemplate, and was later asked, how adult education affected my life. Besides having a parent who worked in adult education, I wasn't sure it did. After all, I graduated from high school and finished college. As I gave this question a little more thought and research, I realized it affects all of us. The statistics are astonishing. I’m sure most, if not all of you, are already aware of the following statistics; however, I would like to reiterate a few that made an impact on me: · 40% of the U.S. workforce and more that 50% of high school graduates do not have the basic skills for employment.

· The health care industry estimates $73 billion per year of unnecessary health care expenses are attributed to poor literacy.

· 36 million Americans (400,000 adults in the state of Indiana) struggle to read and write at a third grade level! Unfortunately, the few statistics that I have cited are backed up with many others. This paints a scary picture of what it means to be under-educated. Statistics like these are why I want to work with IAACE and in the field of education. Over the past couple of weeks I have asked several family members and friends if they know anyone who has not completed their high school education. Nearly everyone I spoke with knows someone, or several people, who have not. Like many Americans I was disconnected from this societal problem and my position has personalized the importance of this organization. Enough with the doom and gloom! So what can we do about this? Well, IAACE and its members are advocating, communicating, and promoting the idea that all adults deserve to enjoy opportunities of lifelong learning. Educators, like yourselves, are directly benefiting our society by improving education and literacy. You are communicating with the public, our elected officials, and others in the teaching profession. You encourage people to finish and continue their educations, you volunteer your time, and you support other educators in your field. The following statistics demonstrate how your roles in this field are making improvements: · Single mothers who have a high school degree are 24 percent less likely to be on welfare than those who are high school dropouts. · Minimum wage workers increased wages by 18 to 25 percent within 18 months of exiting an adult education program. · Improved education results in potential savings in public assistance costs – welfare, food stamps, and public housing – of between $7.9 and $10.8 billion. I recently expressed to a friend that I am thrilled to have a job that I am proud of. It’s not every day that you have the opportunity to work with people you admire in a field which you are passionate about. In June, I had the opportunity to attend a board meeting where I met a majority of the board members. If the members of IAACE embrace the same ideals as the board members, then I believe this position will be a perfect fit for me.

While all of you are advocating, educating, and volunteering, I want to offer my services to support, motivate and assist you. I have a few questions to ask of you. Do you have any advice on how I can help advocate? What motivates people to go back to finish their high school education? How do we motivate others to complete their high school education and continue their education? Are there certain topics you would like discussed? Are there any current educational issues in which you would like more information? My goal is to support, encourage, inform, and inspire you. I look forward to coordinating your experiences and perspectives toward our common goal. Please share your thoughts with me so we can keep this conversation going.